Donald Trump’s reckless agenda of arbitrary firings and funding cuts continues to devastate critical programs across the country — and the American people are paying the price. From firing first responders and gutting health care for 9/11 victims to making Americans’ (and their beloved pets’) food and drugs less safe, Trump’s agenda is playing political games with people’s lives. 

Here’s a look at the most recent impacts of Trump’s reckless and dangerous cuts:  

NBC News: “Hiring freeze of firefighters could be deadly, Forest Service captain warns” 

“The federal hiring freeze ordered last month by President Donald Trump will hinder the U.S. Forest Service’s ability to ‘deliver the lifesaving service that Americans deserve,’ said Capt. Ben McLane, who serves in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, in southern Washington. …

“Hiring federal firefighters is a lengthy process because federal background checks are required, raising concerns among McLane and other high-ranking firefighters that the federal force will be understaffed going into the 2025 fire season, which technically begins next month but in practicality has become year-round. … 

“As more than 3,000 of his Forest Service colleagues were being laid off last week, McLane said it was important he speak out: ‘Our nation’s wildfire response system transcends politics, because wildfire transcends politics, and it’s the right thing to do to bring on firefighters and ensure that the public is getting the service that they deserve and that they pay for.’”

USA Today: “9/11 health program cuts to cause ‘life and death’ delays, fired worker says” 

“Up to 20% of staff at the WTC Health Program were impacted by cuts of probationary workers and buyouts. HHS oversees the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which houses the WTC program.

“The impact is exacerbated, elected officials and fired workers say, by DOGE cuts to scientific research and last year’s scrapping of permanent funding for the WTC program by Congress. …

“New York City Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker said the program has been a lifeline to 9/11 responders who later became ill. …

“Rupa Bhattacharyya, former special master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, said WTC Health provides support for people in all 50 states. WTC program cuts mean ‘that the heroes of 9/11 will face longer wait times, reduced services, and delays in receiving their compensation’ through the VCF, which depends on certifications from WTC Health Program doctors. …

“There are currently 130,000 WTC program members who are monitored, getting treatment, or both.” 

NPR: “FDA staff handling drug safety for pets and livestock lost jobs in Trump firings” 

“The cuts hit the Center for Veterinary Medicine, an arm of the Food and Drug Administration that regulates the safety and efficacy of drugs, food and medical devices for animals. … 

“The center’s work has an impact on many different animals, including household pets, like dogs, cats and hamsters. It’s also responsible for making sure that human food from animals being treated with medications (such as antibiotics and hormones) is safe to eat, including dairy cows, egg-laying hens and other livestock.” 

Axios: “Cuts raise questions about science’s future in U.S.” 

“Fears are growing within the scientific community that arbitrary firings of government scientists will set back U.S. leadership in a slew of fields. …

“The U.S. faces growing competition for science and technology leadership from China in particular. …

“[O]pportunities for conducting cutting-edge research using federal assets will almost certainly shrink. And the likelihood of a scientific brain drain to other nations will increase.” 

###